Mark Mastroianni

A new top law enforcement officer was sworn into office today in western Massachusetts. The new top prosecutor in the greater Springfield area is promising a proactive approach to the job.

Anthony Gulluni was sworn in as the new Hampden District Attorney.

Breaking with tradition, the public ceremony was held in historic Old First Church in Springfield, rather than in the Hall of Justice, to accommodate a larger audience. Several hundred people attended including community leaders, elected officials, judges and lawyers.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick today appointed a veteran prosecutor as Hampden District Attorney. The vacancy was created by the appointment of the elected DA to the federal bench in western Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick swore in James Orenstein as Hampden County District Attorney at a ceremony Monday in the state office building in Springfield.

" He will serve in this role beautifully I am quite confident until the voters of this county have chosen their next district attorney," said Patrick.

Money seized from drug dealers in western Massachusetts is being used to do good things. The funds are helping keep at-risk youths off the streets and reuniting families torn apart by drug abuse.

Hampden District Attorney Mark Mastroianni has awarded $30,000 to two Springfield-based nonprofit agencies from the Drug Forfeiture Grant Program. The fund consists of money and property forfeited by court order following a criminal conviction for a drug dealing offense.

Mastroianni has given out $100,000 since starting the program two years ago.

A vacancy on the federal court in western Massachusetts is a step closer to being filled. The nominee, Hampden District Attorney Mark Mastroianni, has testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington.

Mastroianni told the committee that the experiences in his legal career, first as a prosecutor, and then building a successful private practice as a criminal defense attorney before being elected Hampden D.A. four years ago, had prepared him to become a federal judge.

A top prosecutor in western Massachusetts may soon become a federal judge. It would fill a vacancy in the federal court in Springfield that local attorneys say is causing cases to be moved to Boston.

President Obama has nominated Hampden County District Attorney Mark Mastroianni to fill a vacancy on the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts. Mastroianni, speaking with reporters, said he received a phone call from the White House Tuesday morning informing him of the nomination.